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Ride the Dry Diggings Track

A trial shuttle bus service is allowing riders to take on the Dry Diggings section of the Goldfields Track.

Thursday 9 May 2019

If you’re into mountain biking be sure to make the most of the trial bus shuttle service that will drop you and your bike off at Daylesford or Vaughan Springs so you can ride (or walk!) back to Castlemaine along the Dry Diggings stretch of the Goldfields Track.

The shuttle bus is running every Saturday and Sunday in May, with cyclists able to ride the 58km stretch from Daylesford to Castlemaine, or the shorter distance of 19km from Vaughan Springs.

Paula Ewing and Andy Bos from Tread at Harcourt are volunteering their time to drop off riders and walkers along the route.

“The Goldfields Track is becoming increasingly well-known for mountain biking, not just in Australia, but around the world,” said Andy.

“Many people are coming up from Melbourne to try it out,” he said.

“They love that it’s so accessible. It’s really close to Melbourne but feels like they’re in the middle of nowhere.”

The Dry Diggings Track is made up of a mix of single track, old remnant walking paths and trails that have formed over many years.

“Coming in from Daylesford there’s a nice and gentle 20km downhill section from the Chocolate Mill to Vaughan Springs. After that it’s a slight incline to Castlemaine, but not too steep,” said Andy.

“We’ve been supporting people to ride the track for the last five years and riders have had such a great experience taking it on.”

According to Andy it takes between five and six hours to ride from Daylesford to Castlemaine, but some riders have done it in three and a half hours. The 22km stretch from Vaughan Springs takes about two and a half hours.

“We’ve had riders from their mid-20s to late 60s joining in – everyone should give it a go!” he said.

The shuttle bus leaves from the Castlemaine Train Station every Saturday and Sunday in May. It costs $20 to be dropped at Daylesford and $10 to be dropped at Vaughan Springs.

Bookings are essential. Book online via www.maldoncastlemaine.com.au or drop in to the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre (VIC) on Mostyn Street. The VIC is open every day from 9.00am to 5.00pm. You can also call the VIC to book your place on 5471 1795.

The bus trial is a partnership between the Goldfields Track Inc. and Mount Alexander Shire Council with support from Tread.

Image: The shuttle has been very popular with people keen to try their hand at the Goldfields Track. (Supplied: Tread Harcourt).